London
A therapeutic landscape designed for wellbeing, activity and connection
RSL was appointed to design the walled garden at KYN Hurlingham, a beautifully restored Grade II-listed home in Parsons Green. The brief was to create a restorative outdoor environment that supports daily wellbeing for residents and provides a safe, engaging space for family visits, quiet moments and community connection.
The resulting landscape is a carefully crafted sensory garden, designed to engage sight, scent, touch, sound and movement. Feature trees such as Acer campestre and Cornus kousa provide seasonal structure, while layered shrubs, perennials and ornamental grasses introduce softness, texture and subtle colour throughout the year.
Aromatic planting plays a central role, with lavender, sarcococca, nepeta and trachelospermum enriching the air across the seasons. Tactile species including Stachys byzantina, feathery grasses and soft ferns support sensory engagement for residents in a calm and intuitive way.
The garden has been designed to encourage activity and participation. A central lawn provides space for gentle recreation including yoga, croquet, bowls and garden events while raised beds around the perimeter allow residents to grow herbs, salad crops and cut flowers as part of therapeutic gardening sessions. Seating is positioned throughout to support rest, reflection and social time with friends and family.
Biodiversity has been woven into the scheme, with planting selected to attract pollinators and birds, complemented by habitat features such as insect hotels, log stacks, bird baths and nesting boxes. Permeable materials and sensitive detailing contribute to a sustainable and environmentally responsive garden.
Clear, level pathways guide residents through a series of intimate garden rooms, ensuring inclusive access for all mobility levels. The walled garden is also used for celebrations, lunches and afternoon gatherings, forming part of the wider life-enrichment programme within the home.
The walled garden at KYN Hurlingham is designed to enhance quality of life, a tranquil, sensory-rich landscape that supports wellbeing, sparks connection and offers a calm sanctuary for residents and their loved ones.